China's Law {PG-13}

[Naimo]

[spoiler=Chapter One]

Chapter One

 

China, 687 AD, Tang Dynasty

The law: All Psychics must be put to death, regardless of status, power or wealth.

 

The Empress Dowager’s chamber was full of commotion. It was, in general, a large square chamber with inlaid marble flooring, upon which tall gold and crimson pillars held up the roof. There was no doorway; instead a wide arch with drawn back golden veils was in its place, which revealed a small courtyard. Directly opposite the arch was the seat (a golden throne with an embroidered cushion on top so as to give the seated person comfort) which the Empress Dowager currently sat upon (readers should note that when an Emperor died, his Empress – that is to say, his most beloved wife out of all his wives, for Emperors practiced large-scale polygamy – would become Empress Dowager as her son succeeds to the throne, and the deceased Emperor’s Queen Consorts would become forgotten).

 

The Empress Dowager herself was dressed in her usual noticeable way. Her outfit was a jade green dress embroidered with golden patterns, with loose sleeves which extended to her wrists, and a hem which trailed behind her. Over her dress was a sleeveless ruby-red gown with raised shoulders. The body of the gown was decorated with golden beads which glistened underneath light, the trailing hem embroidered with a magnificent golden pattern. Around the Empress Dowager’s waist was a silver girdle, the plainness of which contrasted with her dress and gown. As it was with all females during that era, the Empress Dowager’s black hair was tied up in many buns (plaits were commonplace too, but the Empress Dowager had none in her hair), all of which were held by hairpins, the ends of which were decorated so as to make the hairstyle as pretty as the outfit. Today, the hairpins were all gold with rubies and jades, in order to co-ordinate with the outfit. Upon the Empress Dowager’s forehead – and indeed, upon all of the Queen Consorts – was, as usual, a red sticker (readers should note there is no exact term which can be used to explain this, but sticker comes as closest, though it can be regarded as wrongly used. The “sticker” is made and stuck onto the skin using a special paste, thus looking like a tattoo).

 

The commotion which had disturbed the chamber – and so early in the morning too – had been an attempted attack on the Empress Dowager’s life. The attacker, a male servant dressed in all black like an assassin, currently lay on the floor, with two armed soldiers pinning him down. A large Blue Eyes White Dragon was standing behind the Empress Dowager, so lifelike it was as if the dragon was a true being, not one formed from a Psychic’s powers. On the sidelines, two maids were watching, looking scared; stood beside the Empress Dowager, who was currently sat in her throne, was her most trusted General, though at a first glance one could not have thought of him to be a general. His fine grey robes and the absence of a sword shouted nothing about a military man.

 

“I order you to tell One, why do you want to kill One?” the Empress Dowager demanded, having raised her voice, her tones backed with unstoppable authority. There was a furious glint in her brown eyes, mixed with her usual glint of deceit. Her sweet cheeks and bitter red lips too were mixed with rage, her spit was more poisonous than before, and her sword for a tongue was sharper, more deadly than usual. The Blue Eyes White Dragon growled, its glare aimed at the servant, who was far from intimidated by the mighty dragon.

 

“You are a filthy betrayer,” hissed the accused, a mad look in his eyes directed towards the Empress Dowager, his face distorted with pure anger. It was hard to tell who was angrier; him or the Empress Dowager. “Psychics are dying because of this law, and yet you live and condemn more lives! You are the worst betrayer of our kind, and many thrive to kill you, oh yes they do!” At once the Empress Dowager slammed her palm on her armrest; behind her, the dragon roared, sending a blast of hot breath in the path of the servant and the two soldiers.

 

“How dare you!” She did not speak; instead, the General was speaking. “No one speaks to the Empress Dowager with such disrespect!” He turned around, one hand clasped over his other, which was curled in a fist. He raised both arms before him, stopping as it reached chin level, and lowered his hands again. “Empress Dowager, we have no need to question him further. This evil servant should be sentenced to death immediately.” She eyed him, her lips curled slightly in a sly smile.

 

“One knows how best to act, General Yuan,” she said to him in her normal voice, saying this mainly as a reminder. General Yuan said nothing, but faced the trapped servant again, mirroring the Empress Dowager’s next move. She raised her voice again. “You evil servant, you dare attack One with your Psychic powers?” Her eyes narrowed, and her voice became quieter. “Good.” (Readers should note translating Cantonese is not always accurate, and sometimes sounds odd when spoken in English.) Her voice grew louder, and the furious spark in her eyes expanded. “By the time One dies, you will be long dead! As long as I sit on this throne, no one shall dare touch me! Guards! Take him into the prisons, and execute him tomorrow!” The two soldiers on top of the servant temporarily let go to copy General Yuan’s earlier movement (readers should note that to interlock your hands like that showed you understood orders, or to show respect. This hand gesture applied only to men), and they dragged the servant out of the chamber. He was unnaturally silent, for most people were pleading for their lives at this stage, yet even as he was dragged out, his eyes never left the Empress Dowager, and nor did his expression change.

 

“Empress Dowager –” began General Yuan after a long pause.

 

“Servants! Take One back to One’s bedroom,” the Empress Dowager immediately interjected, her chest heavily rising and falling. “One needs to rest; whatever you wish to say, General Yuan, must wait.” The General had no choice but to step aside as the present maids held onto the Empress Dowager hand whilst walking down the stairs of the platform upon which the throne sat on. Without so much as a backward glance, the figure of the three women soon disappeared as they walked through the arch, the Empress Dowager’s departure being made know by the usual cry of, “The Empress Dowager is leaving!”

 

News of the commotion travelled like wildfire through the Palace. It was hardly surprising; an attempt on the life of the Empress Dowager, one of the most powerful figures within the Palace, was never bound to be petty news. It was like a swarm of insects had invaded the Palace; the news wouldn’t stop spreading. It eventually reached the Specialist Servant Departments – that is, to say, the department where selected servants were given specialist jobs of either cooking, making clothes, making accessories and designing card artwork, or making daily essentials, rather than do the commonplace chores other servants took on (readers should note there is no “correct” translation for the Department, thusly I have tried to translate it to the best of my ability).

 

The Department hierarchy worked like thus; there was the Overall Head, who supervised the overall work and answered only to the Grand Empress. With each of the four departments was a Head, followed by their Deputy Heads. One look at the outfits would easily distinguish who was the Overall Head, who was the four Heads (they each wore dresses where their top and skirt were differing colours), and who was their Deputy Heads (they wore paler colours which differed from their Heads’ colour).

 

It is therein that the servant, who was carrying a tray to our heroine, worked in. Our heroine at the point of this story happened to be within her Palace (readers should note that to describe sections within the Palace itself would also be called a Palace. These sections were always homes, gardens or workplaces). The general home-style Palace was like thus; there would be a courtyard like all other Palaces, which lead to the main building, wherein the resident and her personal maid or page would live in. Like all Palaces, there were walls which marked each Palace’s area; usually, only one wall had a wide arch as a way of entry.

 

“Servant has come to see Queen Consort Wang,” said the servant as she bowed, now inside the Queen Consort’s chamber (readers should note it was Palace etiquette for servants to address themselves as the third person when speaking under the presence of an authority figure). Facing the doorway was a raised platform, where the Queen Consort currently sat behind a desk, holding a brush and writing calligraphy. She stood up and carefully walked around the desk, taking the hand of her maid as she walked down the stairs, before halting in front of the still-bowing servant.

 

“You may rise,” she said, holding out a hand and gently raising it in the air. A girl nearing her mid-twenties, she had a thin frame, but an otherwise beautiful face. Her brown eyes were like staring at milk chocolate, and her smile was as warm and innocent as a small child, an accurate reflection of the gentleness and goodwill which lay in her heart. Her outfit consisted of an embroidered pale yellow dress, over which was a pink sleeved gown, both of which were held down by a golden girdle. Upon her bare neck – for the dresses were like bathrobes, that is, folded from right to left, thus leaving some neck exposed whilst sufficiently covering the chest – was a fine necklace threaded with gold and pink amethyst beads. Her hairpins were flower themed, but the most notable piece was the pink amethyst circlet.

 

“Thank you Queen Consort Wang.” The servant rose, and looked at the Queen Consort. “The hairpins and cards you wanted us to make are here.” Even for a servant, it was obvious she had a higher position; there was a tiara-like centrepiece in her hair which, alongside her purple and green dress and the necklace she wore, showed status matched almost by none within the Accessories and Card Artwork Department.

 

Queen Consort Wang watched the servant remove the cloth covering the tray, to reveal a silver hairpin with a plum blossom upon the end and little silver beads dangling from the flower. Beside the hairpin was a single card, which the Queen Consort picked up first. She looked at the Blackwing depicted, and smiled at the servant.

 

“Head Wong, your artisans don’t disappoint,” she said approvingly, a warm smile on her face. “Both your items are exquisite.” She also picked up the hairpin, and her attention turned to Head Wong, who was also smiling. “Where do you think this hairpin should go?” At once, the Head looked stunned, like a frying pan had just hit her face.

 

“Servant doesn’t dare,” she immediately said, her eyes on the ground. However, Queen Consort Wang insisted, and it was only upon this insistence did Head Wong put down the tray and insert the hairpin in gingerly. She opened her mouth, ready to speak, when a new figure entered the room. Immediately, she stepped beside the Queen Consort, ready to greet the new figure.

 

“Servant is here to see Queen Consort Ma,” said Head Wong and Queen Consort Wang’s maid unanimously whilst bowing. Unlike Wang, Queen Consort Ma had a glint in her eyes full of deception and cunning wit. Her jaw was pointed, and there was no warmth in her eyes or upon her lips. Her dress was like that of Queen Consort Wang; she wore a cream dress with a magenta gown more vibrant in colour than Queen Consort Wang’s. A silver girdle held her outfit down, and her necklace was threaded with pearl and pink topaz beads. Her hairpins were also flower themed, but they seemed to glimmer more. Like Queen Consort Wang, she too had a personal maid, who was carrying a deck of cards with her.

 

“You may rise.” She watched both the servants straighten, and as she turned her attention to her fellow Queen Consort, she could hardly fail to notice the new hairpin. “Sister –” (Readers should note sister is used as a way of addressing a close friend, or another of the Emperor’s wives in this scenario) “– I see you have a new hairpin. It is quite beautiful as well.”

 

“Servant will not disturb both Queen Consorts,” piped up Head Wong. She walked out of the chamber, and a short silent descended after her departure.

 

“Sister, come and duel with me,” said Queen Consort Ma after the pause. “I feel I am beginning to lose my touch with the cards.” Queen Consort Wang nodded, and as her maid fetched her deck, they made their way to a table, engraved with a playing field, by the side of the room. Two chairs were placed next to the table, which the two Queen Consorts sat down on. As the maid came back, now carrying Queen Consort Wang’s deck, it was the maids who shuffled the decks and placed them in their respective deck area.

 

“Huodian, just call me Xiaoling, there’s no need to be so formal,” Queen Consort Wang said as they both drew five. Huodian smiled, though her cheeks seemed stubborn to rise, and she looked down at her hand.

 

“Xiaoling, I’ll let you go first.” She watched her play her cards, and as she drew, she continued to speak. “So, Xiaoling, the Emperor is going to marry again. No doubt we will have more competition, and to think it was dreadful enough already.” She played a Harpie Lady 1 onto the field. “Would you agree, Xiaoling?”

 

“That is true, but it is custom of the Emperor to keep marrying every few years. I believe our husband’s predecessor married over a thousand women?”

 

“Yes, that is quite true.” Huodian’s eyes did not leave the field as she laid down two cards. “Of course, having more wives would mean I can see the back of Queen Consort Zhou far more often than I do these days. I would be lying if I said I would not be relieved to see it. Oh, and I end my move.”

 

“Queen Consort Zhou is an honourable woman, even if she is a pompous person,” said Xiaoling as she drew a card. Huodian laughed, though very briefly.

 

“Xiaoling, everyone knows you try to see good in everyone, even if they are your worst enemy. There’s no doubt she will have put on a mask to fool you into thinking she is a good person, and clearly she has.” She leaned further forward, pressing her cards against her chest. “You’re my closest sister, don’t take this the wrong way, but you should stop being so innocent. People are going to manipulate and exploit you; gaining respect is nothing but a bitter struggle, you’ll be treated with hardly any respect. It’s difficult to reach your goal, but easy to fall.”

 

“My mother taught me to do good only, and do nothing wicked,” Xiaoling told her as she played a Bora the Spear on the field through Gale the Whirlwind’s effect. “She taught me to tell no lies, have a good heart, and do good things.”

 

“Clearly your mother has taught you well,” Huodian dryly commented, her eyes on the field. She watched Xiaoling play a Shura the Blue Flame, and it was only then did she take her eyes off the field. “I don’t wish to criticise her, but her philosophy is of little, if not, of no use within the Palace.” A smile spread on her lips, though it was not a warm smile. “I hope I haven’t offended you with our conversation?”

 

“Of course not,” answered Xiaoling with a reassuring smile; she seemed to be completely oblivious to the coolness of the smile. She looked down at the field. “My Shura will attack your Harpie Lady and –”

 

“Sister, I would like to continue duelling, but I am sorry to leave so early, especially when we were just starting our duel,” interrupted Huodian quickly. As she spoke, her maid stepped forward and began to tidy the cards away; the two women’s eyes darted and made brief eye contact, something which escaped Xiaoling’s notice. “The Empress Dowager has asked me to dine with her this lunchtime, and I believe she wants to have a walk around the Emperor’s Garden with me afterwards.” (Readers should note the Emperor’s Garden was a garden exclusive only to the Emperor and Empress Dowager) At her last sentence, Xiaoling also stood up.

 

“Really?” she asked warmly as her maid also collected her cards. “Well I hope you have a good time.” Huodian smiled at her; it was clear word that an attempted attack had happened on the Empress Dowager’s life had not yet reached any of the Queen Consorts.

 

“Don’t worry, I will,” was the reply. Seeing as her maid had finished packing up, there was no reason left for her to delay. “Goodbye sister.”

 

“Goodbye.” Xiaoling watched as Huodian turned round and, with her maid walking behind her, left the chamber in a crocodile fashion. They crossed the courtyard, stepped through the arch, and disappeared completely from view.

 

[fenrir]

Reminded me of Dynasty Warriors for no reason in particular. Grammar and such is great, chapter is a nice length. Maybe a bit too long, but hey.

[bury the year]

You are a very good writer, first of all. There's actually a lot of substance in here, and I spot no errors to speak of. The only two things I'm concerned of is the description of the "sticker" early on, for you should just use the original term and describe it, and the excessive amount of description for clothing. Otherwise, this is an excellent and high-quality job that really put me in the setting. Congrats.

[Naimo]

You are a very good writer' date=' first of all. There's actually a lot of substance in here, and I spot no errors to speak of. The only two things I'm concerned of is the description of the "sticker" early on, for you should just use the original term and describe it, and the excessive amount of description for clothing. Otherwise, this is an excellent and high-quality job that really put me in the setting. Congrats.

[/quote']

 

Yeah, I am aware I did overdo detail a bit, despite the fact I have cut it down quite a bit already - but the sticker thing was a true nightmare, caus there really was no proper equivalent to it and there wasnt just one word that could sum it up properly, so I may have over-elaborated it slightly

[bury the year]

You are a very good writer' date=' first of all. There's actually a lot of substance in here, and I spot no errors to speak of. The only two things I'm concerned of is the description of the "sticker" early on, for you should just use the original term and describe it, and the excessive amount of description for clothing. Otherwise, this is an excellent and high-quality job that really put me in the setting. Congrats.

[/quote']

 

Yeah, I am aware I did overdo detail a bit, despite the fact I have cut it down quite a bit already - but the sticker thing was a true nightmare, caus there really was no proper equivalent to it and there wasnt just one word that could sum it up properly, so I may have over-elaborated it slightly

 

Does the item have a real-world counterpart, and if so, can you link to Wikipedia for it?